Embedded Files
📰 The Consumer Cyber Sentinel: Your Digital Defense Report 🛡️
📰 The Consumer Cyber Sentinel: Your Digital Defense Report 🛡️
Date: Thursday, February 22, 2026 Smart security for your digital life
🚨1. Top Cybersecurity News (For Everyone)
🚨1. Top Cybersecurity News (For Everyone)
📰 Criminals Impersonating City and County Officials in Phishing Emails for Planning and Zoning Permits
📰 Criminals Impersonating City and County Officials in Phishing Emails for Planning and Zoning Permits
The FBI is warning the public about an emerging phishing scheme by criminals impersonating city and county officials to solicit fraudulent payments for city and county planning and zoning permits. The criminals leverage publicly available permit information to identify potential victims and increase the legitimacy of the scam. Victims of this scam have been identified nationwide. FBI Public Service Announcement
The FBI is warning the public about an emerging phishing scheme by criminals impersonating city and county officials to solicit fraudulent payments for city and county planning and zoning permits. The criminals leverage publicly available permit information to identify potential victims and increase the legitimacy of the scam. Victims of this scam have been identified nationwide. FBI Public Service Announcement
🍞 Crunchyroll probes breach after hacker claims to steal 6.8M users' data
🍞 Crunchyroll probes breach after hacker claims to steal 6.8M users' data
Popular anime streaming platform Crunchyroll is investigating a breach after hackers claimed to have stolen personal information for approximately 6.8 million people.
Popular anime streaming platform Crunchyroll is investigating a breach after hackers claimed to have stolen personal information for approximately 6.8 million people.
"We are aware of recent claims and are currently working closely with leading cyber security experts to investigate the matter," Crunchyroll told BleepingComputer.
"We are aware of recent claims and are currently working closely with leading cyber security experts to investigate the matter," Crunchyroll told BleepingComputer.
This statement comes after a threat actor contacted BleepingComputer last Thursday and claimed they breached Crunchyroll on March 12th at 9 PM EST, after gaining access to the Okta SSO account of a support agent working for Crunchyroll. Bleeping Computer
This statement comes after a threat actor contacted BleepingComputer last Thursday and claimed they breached Crunchyroll on March 12th at 9 PM EST, after gaining access to the Okta SSO account of a support agent working for Crunchyroll. Bleeping Computer
📊 FBI links Signal phishing attacks to Russian intelligence services
📊 FBI links Signal phishing attacks to Russian intelligence services
The FBI has issued a public service announcement warning that Russian intelligence-linked threat actors are actively targeting users of encrypted messaging apps such as Signal and WhatsApp in phishing campaigns that have already compromised thousands of accounts. Bleeping Computer
The FBI has issued a public service announcement warning that Russian intelligence-linked threat actors are actively targeting users of encrypted messaging apps such as Signal and WhatsApp in phishing campaigns that have already compromised thousands of accounts. Bleeping Computer
⛸️ 3.7 Million Telehealth Patients Allegedly Affected By Two Recent Breaches
⛸️ 3.7 Million Telehealth Patients Allegedly Affected By Two Recent Breaches
On January 7, 2026, “Stuckin2019” listed patient data from OpenLoop Health for sale on a popular hacking forum. The listing and the data samples provided as proof of claims were removed two days later. OpenLoop did not appear to have issued any statement or response to the alleged breach until March 18, when the Iowa firm notified the Texas Attorney General’s Office that 68,160 Texans were affected. Texas does not make reports publicly available on its breach site, so that the report may be unrelated to the January 7 listing, but it seems likely that it is. Databreaches.net
On January 7, 2026, “Stuckin2019” listed patient data from OpenLoop Health for sale on a popular hacking forum. The listing and the data samples provided as proof of claims were removed two days later. OpenLoop did not appear to have issued any statement or response to the alleged breach until March 18, when the Iowa firm notified the Texas Attorney General’s Office that 68,160 Texans were affected. Texas does not make reports publicly available on its breach site, so that the report may be unrelated to the January 7 listing, but it seems likely that it is. Databreaches.net
👁️🗨️ Not everything in your medical records is privileged or warrant-proof
👁️🗨️ Not everything in your medical records is privileged or warrant-proof
Many members of the public may assume — wrongly — that everything in their medical records is protected by HIPAA or doctor-patient privilege. They would be wrong on both counts. Privilege is generally intended to protect disclosures that the patient makes when such disclosures are necessary for the healthcare professional to diagnose and/or treat the patient. Pogo was right
Many members of the public may assume — wrongly — that everything in their medical records is protected by HIPAA or doctor-patient privilege. They would be wrong on both counts. Privilege is generally intended to protect disclosures that the patient makes when such disclosures are necessary for the healthcare professional to diagnose and/or treat the patient. Pogo was right
➕ Major Benefits Breach Impacts 2.7 Million
➕ Major Benefits Breach Impacts 2.7 Million
Navia Benefit Solutions, a provider of health and employee benefits, has confirmed a massive data breach. Hackers accessed personal details, including Social Security numbers and health information, for nearly 2.7 million people. If you use Navia for your workplace benefits, keep a close eye on your mailbox for an official notification letter. Techrepublic
Navia Benefit Solutions, a provider of health and employee benefits, has confirmed a massive data breach. Hackers accessed personal details, including Social Security numbers and health information, for nearly 2.7 million people. If you use Navia for your workplace benefits, keep a close eye on your mailbox for an official notification letter. Techrepublic
🚨"Identity Protector" Aura Targeted
🚨"Identity Protector" Aura Targeted
In an ironic twist, the identity protection company Aura was hit by a "voice phishing" attack (where a scammer calls an employee pretending to be someone they trust). This allowed an intruder to steal roughly 900,000 records, mainly names and email addresses. While core services remain safe, Aura users should be extra wary of suspicious emails. PC Magazine
In an ironic twist, the identity protection company Aura was hit by a "voice phishing" attack (where a scammer calls an employee pretending to be someone they trust). This allowed an intruder to steal roughly 900,000 records, mainly names and email addresses. While core services remain safe, Aura users should be extra wary of suspicious emails. PC Magazine
📞Sears Exposed AI Chatbot Phone Calls and Text Chats to Anyone on the Web
📞Sears Exposed AI Chatbot Phone Calls and Text Chats to Anyone on the Web
Sears department stores have largely disappeared across the United States, but the brand and its appliance repair service are still in business, complete with a modern twist: an AI chatbot and phone assistant named Samantha. As the historic retailer steps into the future, though, new research shows that conversations people had with the chatbot were publicly exposed online. Wired
🏬Heritage Bank Investigation
Heritage Bank, which serves the Pacific Northwest, is investigating a "suspicious activity" incident that occurred earlier this month. Files were reportedly copied from their servers. The bank is currently working with experts to see exactly which customers' private information may have been exposed. Globe News Wire
🚨 2. Scams & Threats Now Circulating
🚨 2. Scams & Threats Now Circulating
The "Hi Grandma" AI Voice Scam: Scammers are using Artificial Intelligence to clone the voices of family members. You might get a call from someone who sounds exactly like your grandchild or child claiming they’ve been in an accident and need money immediately.
The "Hi Grandma" AI Voice Scam: Scammers are using Artificial Intelligence to clone the voices of family members. You might get a call from someone who sounds exactly like your grandchild or child claiming they’ve been in an accident and need money immediately.
How it works: They use short clips of audio from social media to "train" the AI, then call you with a sense of extreme urgency to bypass your suspicion.
How it works: They use short clips of audio from social media to "train" the AI, then call you with a sense of extreme urgency to bypass your suspicion.
Post-Office "Delivery Issue" Texts: A wave of text messages is hitting phones claiming a package cannot be delivered due to an "incomplete address."
Post-Office "Delivery Issue" Texts: A wave of text messages is hitting phones claiming a package cannot be delivered due to an "incomplete address."
How it works: The text includes a link to a professional-looking (but fake) website that asks for a small "redelivery fee." It’s a trap to steal your credit card information.
How it works: The text includes a link to a professional-looking (but fake) website that asks for a small "redelivery fee." It’s a trap to steal your credit card information.
Fake "Job Agency" Social Media Ads: With a shifting job market, scammers are posting high-paying, work-from-home "side hustles" on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn.
Fake "Job Agency" Social Media Ads: With a shifting job market, scammers are posting high-paying, work-from-home "side hustles" on platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn.
How it works: After a "quick interview" via text, they ask you to pay an upfront fee for training or equipment, or they ask for your Social Security number for "onboarding" before you ever meet a real person.
How it works: After a "quick interview" via text, they ask you to pay an upfront fee for training or equipment, or they ask for your Social Security number for "onboarding" before you ever meet a real person.
✅ 3. What You Should Do Today
✅ 3. What You Should Do Today
Check for the "DarkSword" Update: Security researchers have identified a new iPhone vulnerability named "DarkSword." Check your iPhone settings (General > Software Update) and install any available updates immediately to stay protected.
Check for the "DarkSword" Update: Security researchers have identified a new iPhone vulnerability named "DarkSword." Check your iPhone settings (General > Software Update) and install any available updates immediately to stay protected.
Set a "Family Code Word": Sit down with your loved ones today and agree on a secret word or phrase. If you ever get an urgent call from a "family member" asking for money, ask for the code word to prove it’s really them and not an AI clone.
Set a "Family Code Word": Sit down with your loved ones today and agree on a secret word or phrase. If you ever get an urgent call from a "family member" asking for money, ask for the code word to prove it’s really them and not an AI clone.
Review Your Bank Alerts: Log into your banking app and ensure "Transaction Alerts" are turned on for any purchase over $1. This gives you a real-time notification if a scammer tries to use your card.
Review Your Bank Alerts: Log into your banking app and ensure "Transaction Alerts" are turned on for any purchase over $1. This gives you a real-time notification if a scammer tries to use your card.
Treat "Urgent" Texts as Spoilers: If you get a text about a package, a bank problem, or a tax issue that says "Act Now," do not click the link. Instead, go directly to the official website or app you usually use to check for messages.
Treat "Urgent" Texts as Spoilers: If you get a text about a package, a bank problem, or a tax issue that says "Act Now," do not click the link. Instead, go directly to the official website or app you usually use to check for messages.
Report scams you encounter. If you see a scam or fraud attempt, report it to your local consumer protection agency or fraud reporting website.
Report scams you encounter. If you see a scam or fraud attempt, report it to your local consumer protection agency or fraud reporting website.
💡 Quick Cyber Tip Widget
💡 Quick Cyber Tip Widget
Quick Tip: Never use the "Enter" or "OK" button on your phone to dismiss a suspicious pop-up; instead, close the entire browser tab or app to ensure you don't accidentally trigger a hidden download.
Quick Tip: Never use the "Enter" or "OK" button on your phone to dismiss a suspicious pop-up; instead, close the entire browser tab or app to ensure you don't accidentally trigger a hidden download.
Our mission is to help you stay one step ahead of internet scammers and protect your digital life. We provide real-world examples of scam emails, text messages, social media posts, and phone calls, showing you how to spot the red flags and identify the telltale signs of a threat. By educating you on these common tactics and explaining how legitimate government agencies and organizations communicate, we empower you to confidently recognize and avoid scams.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse